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It's brutal out there today with the low temps and the high winds. All the rain yesterday and last night turned to ice.

Last minute checks prior to big snowfall coming Wednesday evening.

small update - busy on other things. But managed to do a reasonable copy of the clutch/brake pedal. Main bit by me, the detail that makes it look a bit more authentic was by Ewan.

Time off from work and hotel booked with a little assistance @Docwheelhorse Just need to get my son to commit See ya’ll there !

I've decided to make the 2200 mile round trip to the show after all these years. My wife said just do it, what else you got to do and that will give me a few days of you out from under my feet, damn I love that woman. So where do most of you guys stay and do you think it's to late to make reservations?

Champion Crab Races Day hosts a very interesting sporting event on February 17. A typical crab race event requires people to enter crabs in competitions with the chance to win prize money. Competing crabs enter about 12 to 14 heat races. The winner of each race goes on to compete in the championship race. The race begins with the competing crabs under a bowl in the middle of a racing ring. Once the bowl is lifted, the race starts, and it’s pure anticipation until the winning crab crosses outside the ring. The National Crab Racing Association (N.C.R.A.) is the most prominent organization involved with crab racing. In 1979, the organization was founded by Jim Morgan. The N.C.R.A. is responsible for training crabs to compete in the championship races. They get their crabs from the top importer of hermit crabs globally, Florida Marine Research. The best crabs from training go on to the crab racing circuit in Canada and the United States.

Made my reservations seven months ago, God willing I will be there.

Years ago I had an old Ford LGT165 that would randomly lose power and shut down. Turned out to be a leaf in the fuel tank that would float over to the fuel outlet on the tank and block it off. After the tractor was off for a while I guess the suction broke at the fuel outlet holding the leaf and it would float out of the way and the engine would then start. Took forever to figure that one out as the leaf would move by the time I looked in and I did not see it. Finally one day I did see it, hooked it out and problem was solved.

Going to the Big Show is my birthday gift to my wife. Her birthday is on or about the time of the big show and she gets rid of me for four glorious days. One year we had a Wheel Horse Quartette of @stevasaurus, @squonk @Aldon and myself sing happy birthday to her over the phone. Quality Inn, Chambersburg, PA is where a lot of us stay.

I see @Ed Kennell sitting off to one side there with a 5 gallon bucket of boiling water, some tongs, and a wad of $$$...

I was fearful the boy would have his high school graduation on the same weekend this year however that is not the case. We will be there. Will be in a toy hauler just not sure if same one from last year or the new one being built now🤷

Still working on the mower deck. Almost all pulleys with a bearing had to be replaced. Those are now ordered. Now doing a basic paint job to stop the rust. Want all the moving parts working as they should. Takes a long time but by next weekend I should start putting together.

It's been pretty cold and actually snowing got to use the snowblower a little bit mostly on a couple drifts. So I haven't been working on the barn. But got a little done today. Got the connection on the beam strengthened up. I realize better would be a solid piece all the way to the post, but using what I have.

Bottomed out at 0° and may not get beyond single digits today. Even though we got a bit more wet snow after I cleared it the asphalt took care of it and dried out before the temps dropped. Thankfully there's no need for seat time today. They are saying maybe the 40's next week.

For some reason the wheel horse rear fender has extra holes for the tail lights that are not used. Maybe they had other ideas for the lights ? Anyways, even with the correct taillights you will see just a bit of these outer holes out past the lights.

Lots of time with the robotics team lately. As we build, and test sub systems, and combinations of sub systems, we learn more and discover that all is not working as well as we hoped that it would. In the past week or 10 days, we have investigated and modeled in CAD 3 major rearrangements of the robot, finally settling on one. The new arrangement required major redesigns of all of the sub systems. We've been at it tongs and hammers. The chassis redesign came in almost 10 pounds lighter than the original. The climbing system is now operating as we want it. Prototypes of the other systems are also operating well. Fabrication assembly and tuning of the new parts is underway. Initial estimates say we will be a few pounds over maximum weight. More redesigning is underway, but the changes are smaller. Time crunch is on, as our first competition is only 18 days away.

Got a little more done today. Made up the steering parts. Added a return spring on the handle. So far so good.

Concur. These 8hp units are, indeed, awesome. 854 was the last of the round hoods and, in my totally biased opinion, has the “classic” tractor look. 855 and 856 are the same mechanically but with square hoods and full fenders. @Pullstart, @ri702bill, and I have all mated 6/8-speed transmissions with the 8-hp engine with great success, but the “stock" 3-speeds are all but indestructible as well. They can handle a soil plow, dozer blade, mid-blade grader, or any towed implement. On and off is easy (a bit trickier with the mower deck on).

Richard's wife was very lucky to hear that Happy Birthday rendition. I only sing 2 songs with my voice..."Happy Birthday to You" and "This Little Light of Mine".

Kids at a tractor show were racing toads once ...

General rule of thumb agreed to by the RedSquare Board of All Knowledge - One tractor per implement / use... Accordingly, a buying spree is in order...

Never ate a hermit, but?

May be time?

And on the other hand, I hardly ever remember to look for the right side brake pedal on the couple machines I’ve had equipped with two pedals.

Well, I already have a motorcycle habit. Only 2 of the 4 are presently registered. I have to overhaul the carbs on the V-Max, and my wife needs to get her license (or at least renew her permit) before I register hers. Although I have 3 garages and a shed, I had to give the house attached garage to the wife. The shed contains a zero turn and an old JD which I'm selling). The FEL takes up a good chunk of the smaller non-wife controlled garage, so that only leaves the (20x50? Never measured it) pole building for my bikes, woodworking, and workshop. There's a loft, but it has low headroom, so it's strictly storage. Thus, I'll stick to just a couple of tractors. I'm expanding her garden to around 20 x 40 this year. A rototiller would be nice. The FEL isn't great to plow the driveway, so if I get a plow, I can sell the big walk-behind snow-blower, and the JD snowblower attachment. I wish the '73 could lift more so I can move gravel & stone dust faster, but it is what it is. I can't think of a whole lot more I need it/them for. I'm still undecided on whether to fix up the '73 or leave it with its patina. The same would be something to ponder for whatever else I buy.

A guy can never have two many projects It's 10 years since I almost finished one, and I decided to start another.... With an early two piece trans lying around and a few pictures, I decided to build a 551 from scratch. Big shout out to @oliver2-44 and @Shaun turner for pictures/dimensions and bits to copy. The frame came together pretty quickly. It gets a bit trickier after that - especially on the steering, but I thought I could do my own spin.... drilling and filing a 7 tooth 3/8 sprocket was fun! but the principle works well onto making an axle from bits! 2" flat bar and Volvo C30 driveshaft.... you guys know I love a bit of recycling. Lots of layers and bending. quick modification to C series spindles. and some experimenting to get the tie rod and ackerman perfect. more to follow....

Iron ore?

All you can do is try. Hopefully it isn't too expensive. Many peripheral parts on the tractors of the era were off the shelf from other suppliers. You may get lucky...

I get that at times too Bob. Usually goes away if I just try reloading the pic but not always. Next time it happens I'll take a screen shot and ask about it in issues. Somebody likes the good stuff ...

Have you taken the belt cover of sounds like you may have smoked your new belt which then broke making the noise...

We lucked out. The 50 degrees and high winds dried everything off yesterday. No ice this morning but cold and still blowing. I'm trying to work up enough nads to go out and bring in another trailer load of firewood. I worked my a$$ of for 50 years, so nothing left to freeze off. Like our dear friend, I also need to wear suspenders to hold my pants up. Rest Easy Waldo.

IMO for tilling you'd probably want the 8 speed transmission. Pushing snow is slightly easier with the hydro but I think the manual is the best bet for your needs. I don't know much about tiller models, but I'd probably focus on the more common tillers to make sure you can find one, and then get a WH that will run that tiller.

For the sake of this thread, I just went ahead and assumed that the 'kill relay' that was referred to was anything that would kill the engine when I didn't want it to. On this tractor that would be the seat and PTO switches. Again, with the issue being what it is and not actually killing the engine I don't see it as being electrical. Regardless, the potential culprits have already received the electrical version of a catalytic converter test tube. Of course, it will be removed when the problem is found.

Eliminating some of the rabbit holes that you have been told to look down I took a look at the wiring diagram (my guess is you already did that). There is no kill relay so that isn't the problem. The clutch and neutral switches have nothing to do with maintaining ignition. Much like any other model the PTO switch and seat switch (and relay) are a part of the ignition system. If you locate and unplug the seat switch relay it can no longer provide a path to ground for the magneto. If that allows mowing beyond the twenty minute mark then a new $ 5.00 relay could be all you need.

Just got select your lower gear before you go up or down the steep grades. Any of these will push snow as long as you have chains and wheel weights. For tilling a hydro transmission or an 8 speed will be best. With a 3 speed the tiller will want to push the light weight older round hoods

Yeah I’m trying to stay as original as possible with the tractor. I found the Part number for the lights and we are going to go to Napa today and try and get them. Thanks!

I personably don't like single peddle tractors, I have some steep places and to used the brakes they have to come out of gear. May not be a problem for you as your lot looks level. I have one single peddle tractor a Raider12 to pull my wagon or trailer. I tried mowing with it but it's a little weak on power with a 42" deck. I like my C-120-8 it has a brake and clutch peddle. It is easer to change equipment on the older c's 1974,1975,1976, 1977 as there is nothing in the way. The1988, and 1989 520-H has a lower removeable panel to get to the mid hitch as does the Black hoods. The 300 and 400 have the key switch and gages attached to that panel.. The later 520 have the the lift and speed controls up by the steering wheel, don't know if you can get to the mid lift on them. The 300 and 400 are not that big a deal if your not changing equipment back and forth. Some around here say to have a tractor for each piece of equipment. I keep mine painted as thing rust bad around here.

There fixed that... What would you be using it for? You didn't say. Sounds like you might have a round hood affiction. Any tractor with a loader is pretty much a single purpose machine in my book. Hence the need for another.

Had to try and get the bolts outta the transmission today. Got them all out, but I've never seen nuts rusted down like these. Thank goodness for my impact driver. The bolt side looked fine, so I spun them with a chisel against the nuts. Shockingly, it worked. All bolts are out. Unfortunately no chance on the hitch pin. I drilled 1/2 inch past the tranny boss, but no amount of heat or Kroil would break it loose. So I made up a shallow electrolysis tank and set it to fizzing. I'll let it go for a couple days and try again.

I thought the fix for the Vega engine was to own a better car. This is not the only reason modern engines are almost impossible to rebuild. Boring out the cylinders on them is very exact, as is milling the heads. You have to do it perfectly evenly on both heads. Any variations can cause the software to detect a misfire when one doesn't actually exist.

Rebuild kit came in on Thursday, engine block went to my machinist on Friday. He says about 2 weeks, hopefully he's on schedule cause that should be about the time I'm ready to make some red paint fly. Busy dealing with snow most of the weekend, but I did find time to spray some primer on the sheet metal. 1 coat of self etching primer & 3 coats of 2K urethane primer.

H55 and H60 are tricky to get in the US - even rarer over here in the UK. However we have a cylinder (reel) mower made here that uses a very similar engine. A Tecumseh AQ148 - it's a very similar version of the old design, electric start and comparable HP. a very obvious difference is the inlet and exhaust are swapped!!! so might need some work to solve... onto that early two piece.... thought I had best take a peek inside - remarkably good, quite a lot of wear on the drive gear onto the brake drum spur. All three 1" bearings are shot, they've just crumbled. Assume it is the shell rusting and no longer retaining the needles. New bearings and seals ordered (not cheap in the UK) Onto the clutch Idler, my best estimation from the photos.

I'm pretty sure it's clinker. JimSraj just now answered it. When coal was burned, the impurities melted together and became a nuisance in the firebox so the fireman had to remove them. Apparently, some fireman or stoker as they were sometimes called, chucked this one out in the middle of nowhere and I found it along with a small mess of morels. Years ago nails, with numbers indicating the year of being put into service, were driven into the end of rail road ties. I pulled this one out while doing a job for a customer. It may be copper. I'm too lazy to run down to the train room to check. Weather man says we getting up to 16" of snow in our area. Whereas I don't have a blade or snow blower, I've invested in a big bottle of Aleve to help Pam's muscles that are bound to be sore time she gets the driveway cleaned with a shovel!

Enjoying this build as my Dad had a 633. That's me sitting on his lap in my profile picture back in 67 or 68.

Yup - toss the troublesome gas dampener cylinder, replace it with the spring. One end hooks to the linkage / arm, the other into a hole in the gusset on top of the left axle casting.

FYI external links to ads are not allowed per the forum rules. Also, our single pedal machines have brakes, they are just past the clutch. One pedal, two functions.

I have had the cheap Harbor Freight spark tester flash yet the engine wouldn't run right. Hooked up the B&S tester and you could see the spark was yellow and weak.

Lol truckers do have their thing... Much better here than FB ... way less negative comments and much more constructive criticism.

Outstanding work. Can't wait to see the finished product!

That's what his widow more or less said. She was pleased I was having it. I'm calling it Eddie in his memory. Going off the serial number it's a 1974 B80. 1-0140B80. Road registered in 2015. The trailer is a single axle Saxon. I have one of those already. So one or the other will be sold on.